Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to continue their dominance over Mumbai Indians when the two teams meet in another high-profile clash at the Chinnaswamy in Bangalore on Sunday evening.
RCB have recorded three consecutive wins against Mumbai Indians in their last five meetings since IPL 2020 and it will depend on how the visiting batters cope with the conditions. RCB will be without Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood, who have been sidelined due to injuries. Glenn Maxwell is also doubtful.
Having made the playoffs in each of their last three seasons, RCB will be keen to take the next step, the IPL title which has eluded them so far. Mumbai Indians too had a poor campaign last season, finishing last.
Virat Kohli at nets ahead of the match on Sunday. Twitter
Sunday’s clash will have a lot to do with how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fare for their respective teams. Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher confirmed that their captain Rohit and pacer Jofra Archer are fit. Rohit had missed the captains’ photo session in Ahmedabad on Friday and there was speculation that he might not be available for the opening game
“Yes, Rohit is fit. He has trained for the last two days and is 100 per cent ready... I think he didn’t feel particularly well that morning and just as a precaution, we told him to stay at home,” Boucher said at a media conference on Saturday.
In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, England pacer Jofra Archer, who himself is coming off a long injury lay-off, will lead the Mumbai pace attack. “Jofra is good, he is 100 per cent ready for Sunday. He didn’t train today, it was an optional training session. We are very happy with his progression...”
Today’s match
■ Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians, 7.30pm, Bangalore, live on Star Sports & Jio Cinema
Written with PTI inputs
